Stan Shebs, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Did you know that the San Francisco Botanical Garden is one of the most diverse botanical gardens in the United States?
From the world-famous magnolia collection to the specially-designed Fragrance Garden, here’s how to make the most of this gem in the heart of SF’s Golden Gate Park.
Pratish Halady / Shutterstock 8,000+ plant species across 55 acres
The SF Botanical Garden, which opened in 1940 thanks to WPA funding, is now world-renowned for its substantial size and great plant diversity across 20 different themed sections. These include local species, such as a California native collection and a Redwood Grove, as well as a scenic Japanese moon-viewing garden.
The specialty Southeast Asian and Andean cloud forest sections stand out as a major achievement in North America, succeeding thanks to SF’s naturally cool and foggy climate.
Other significant sections include the compelling Ancient Plants Garden, which looks straight out of a prehistoric landscape, and the Garden of Fragrance, which was designed in 1965 for people with visual impairments to enjoy the plants through smell and touch.
Photo by Travis Lange / SF Botanical Garden Visiting the SF Botanical Garden
As one of Golden Gate Park’s biggest attractions, the SF Botanical Garden receives over 1.2 million visitors every year. SF residents can enjoy free access to the garden every single day with proof of residency, making it a no-brainer budget activity in the city. And even if you’re not an SF resident, you can get free admission to the garden from 7:30-9am daily, on the second Tuesday of each month, and on some holidays.
It’s worth checking the SF Botanical Garden’s calendar for a chance to enjoy it at its best. Visitors flock to the garden in late winter to see one of the world’s most significant collections of magnolias in full bloom, or in September to enjoy the magical Flower Piano event, which turns the gardens into an al fresco concert hall. Year-round programming includes guided walks, yoga classes, art workshops, and plenty more.
🌐 Website: Gardens of Golden Gate Park
📍 Location: Golden Gate Park – 1199 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122
🕜 Hours: 7:30am – 6pm daily
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